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Hunter Education is designed to ensure responsible and safe hunting – no matter where you choose to hunt. And while all government approved programs meet standards previously set by the International Hunter Education Association, different jurisdictions have different rules. Consult the interactive map below to learn more about Hunter Education requirements, contacts, and links for the province or Territory that you are interested in.

Visiting Canada to Hunt

Consult the map and click on where you would like to hunt to find more information about Hunter Education requirements for that location.

IHEA Canada

Recognizing the importance of heritage and cultural values in Canada, IHEA Canada will foster a collaborative educational network that sets the foundation for a safe, respectful and responsible hunting community for today and tomorrow.

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Who requires Hunter Education in your jurisdiction?

Residents

All Ontario residents 15 years of age or older are required to complete the Ontario Hunter education course in order to be eligible for a hunting licence, unless they have proof that they hunted prior to January 1, 1968. Two types of hunting licences are available, one that allows hunting with a gun and one that allows hunting with a bow. Hunter education training is required for both types of hunting licences. Youth aged 12-15 can also take the Ontario Hunter Education Course but must hunt under the direct and immediate supervision of a licenced mentor sharing a single firearm and the mentor’s bag limit. More information is available in the Ontario Hunting Regulations Summary on pg. 16 at www.ontario.ca/hunting.

New residents of Ontario have one opportunity to successfully challenge the Ontario Hunter Education Exam without having to take the course, if they can provide proof of having been issued a resident hunting licence or completing a hunter education course in any jurisdiction of which they were a resident at the time.

Non-Residents

Non-residents who wish to hunt in Ontario must be 16 years or older and need to complete the Ontario Hunter Education Course unless they:

Previously acquired a hunting licence issued by a competent authority in any jurisdiction before January 1, 1968

Have successfully completed hunter education in another jurisdiction that was a requirement for purchasing a hunting licence in that jurisdiction

Minimum Age Requirements

Upon successful completion of the Ontario Hunter Education Course, resident youth aged 12 can hunt under the direct and immediate supervision of a licenced adult (18 years) mentor. Youth must share the mentor’s bag limit.

When youth reach the age of 15 with parental consent or 16 (consent not required) they can purchase their own hunting licence.

Non-resident youth must be 16 years of age or older, with the necessary hunter education training, to be eligible for an Ontario non-resident hunting licence

Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL)

A PAL is required to be eligible for the gun hunting licence. A PAL is not required to be eligible for non-gun hunting (archery) licence.

Exam challenge

Individuals who have moved to Ontario can challenge the Ontario Hunter Examination once if they can show proof of accreditation from another jurisdiction. If the individual fails the exam, they are required to successfully complete the hunter education course and exam to be eligible for an Ontario hunting licence.

Other details

In order to hunt wild turkey in Ontario, an individual must either attend the Ontario Wild Turkey Hunter Education Course or purchase the DVD course and successfully complete the examination.

Online Training

Online training is not available for the Ontario Hunter Education Course, however a home study option (via DVD) is available for the mandatory Ontario Wild Turkey Hunter Education Course.

Who requires Hunter Education in your jurisdiction?

Residents

All Ontario residents 15 years of age or older are required to complete the Ontario Hunter education course in order to be eligible for a hunting licence, unless they have proof that they hunted prior to January 1, 1968. Two types of hunting licences are available, one that allows hunting with a gun and one that allows hunting with a bow. Hunter education training is required for both types of hunting licences. Youth aged 12-15 can also take the Ontario Hunter Education Course but must hunt under the direct and immediate supervision of a licenced mentor sharing a single firearm and the mentor’s bag limit. More information is available in the Ontario Hunting Regulations Summary on pg. 16 at www.ontario.ca/hunting.

New residents of Ontario have one opportunity to successfully challenge the Ontario Hunter Education Exam without having to take the course, if they can provide proof of having been issued a resident hunting licence or completing a hunter education course in any jurisdiction of which they were a resident at the time.

Non-Residents

Non-residents who wish to hunt in Ontario must be 16 years or older and need to complete the Ontario Hunter Education Course unless they:

Previously acquired a hunting licence issued by a competent authority in any jurisdiction before January 1, 1968

Have successfully completed hunter education in another jurisdiction that was a requirement for purchasing a hunting licence in that jurisdiction

Minimum Age Requirements

Upon successful completion of the Ontario Hunter Education Course, resident youth aged 12 can hunt under the direct and immediate supervision of a licenced adult (18 years) mentor. Youth must share the mentor’s bag limit.

When youth reach the age of 15 with parental consent or 16 (consent not required) they can purchase their own hunting licence.

Non-resident youth must be 16 years of age or older, with the necessary hunter education training, to be eligible for an Ontario non-resident hunting licence

Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL)

A PAL is required to be eligible for the gun hunting licence. A PAL is not required to be eligible for non-gun hunting (archery) licence.

Exam challenge

Individuals who have moved to Ontario can challenge the Ontario Hunter Examination once if they can show proof of accreditation from another jurisdiction. If the individual fails the exam, they are required to successfully complete the hunter education course and exam to be eligible for an Ontario hunting licence.

Other details

In order to hunt wild turkey in Ontario, an individual must either attend the Ontario Wild Turkey Hunter Education Course or purchase the DVD course and successfully complete the examination.

Online Training

Online training is not available for the Ontario Hunter Education Course, however a home study option (via DVD) is available for the mandatory Ontario Wild Turkey Hunter Education Course.